Vol. 404 No. 8
26 Miss Flaherty asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the lack of any laws or regulations governing the operation of tattoo parlours and the consequent dangers to public health; and the action he proposes to take to remedy this situation.
56 Miss Flaherty asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the lack of any laws or regulations governing the operation of tattoo parlours and the consequent dangers to public health; and the action he is taking to remedy this situation.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 26 and 56 together.
My Department have no power in relation to the specific issue raised by the Deputy in relation to a minor.
On the point raised regarding public health I would point out to the Deputy that there are powers available to the health boards under the Infectious Diseases Regulations, 1981, where there is reason to believe that a probable source of infection exists, to carry out an investigation and take the necessary steps to remove this source of infection.
On the basis of representations made, my Department have written to the chief executive officers of each of the health boards, asking them to take appropriate action to investigate the activities of tattoo parlours with a view to ensuring that they are operating in a manner which protects public health in the context of these regulations.
